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She. It’s always she. The woman has the trouble—not the man. It’s always the woman’s fault.
“Help me understand what you mean by clean-living,” I ask.
Again, he looks at his attorney. Dennis nods, giving his client the approval.
Zach refocuses on me. “She was an addict.”
“Drugs?”
“Yes.”
“What kind?”
“Everything.”
“Was she using at the time of her death?”
“No. God no. She’s been sober—from drugs, anyway, for five years. She cleaned up right before we met. I drew a hard line in the sand that I would not accept anything less.”
“Mr. Kaing…” I tilt my head to the side. “What was it that attracted you to Alyssa?”
Zach draws in a long inhale, and by the expression on his face, I can tell that this isn’t the first time he’s been asked this question, nor considered it himself.
“I met her at a bar. She was working three jobs to make ends meet. She was attractive and funny and we hit it off. I respected her work ethic and how she was trying to rebuild her life.”
Like most macho men, Zach Kaing’s kryptonite is a damsel in distress. I glance at Kellan, wondering if it’s the same for him. And I’m the work-in-progress.
I refocus on Zach. “How were things between you two before you left, aside from the pregnancy issues?”
“Not great. To be honest, that’s why I hadn’t spoken to her since I left. We’re not in a good spot. We got in a fight before I left—at dinner, the night before.”
“What was the argument about?”
“Everything. It was one of those arguments that started small and escalated into bigger things. She wants to try fertility treatments, and I don’t think I want to go that route.” He pauses. “I just—I don’t know if I want to do all that. It almost feels like the universe is telling us that we shouldn’t have kids.”
“Was she upset when you left?”
“I think so, yes.”
“Did she try to reach out to you?”
“Yes, several times. I didn’t respond.”
Ice cold, indeed.
“Can you tell me about your neighbor? Amos Hoyt.”
“I don’t know much about him other than Alyssa befriended him.”
“Have you met him?”
“I don’t think so—if so, it was brief enough that I don’t remember.” He frowns. “Is he a suspect?”
“I can’t get into those details with you. But do you know that she gave him a key to your home?”
“What?”
I nod. “Mr. Hoyt claims that she gave it to him, ‘in case of an emergency.’”
